Luton man ordered to pay £1,500 costs for fly-tipping near Pepperstock

William Witney, of Halfmoon Lane, Luton, was sentenced at St Alban's Magistrates Court on July 22 in a case prosecuted by Dacorum Borough Council.

Council workers were clearing fly-tipped waste in Pepsal End Lane near Pepperstock on 30 December last year when they found correspondence, with details leading to Witney.

After an investigation by the environmental enforcement team, the council brought a prosecution against Witney for the offence.

In court, he pleaded guilty and was handed a fine of £533 alongside council costs of £1000 and a victim surcharge of £53.

Witney had previously been prosecuted by the same council for a similar offence in February this year.

Due to his repeat offending, he was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) for two years.

Cllr Alan Anderson, portfolio holder for environmental services, said: “This conviction shows how seriously this crime is now considered, and the sentence imposed on Mr Witney sends out a clear message to others not to commit fly-tipping offences.

"Dacorum is a beautiful place to live, and we will continue to work hard to keep it this way. Dumping rubbish isn't tolerated under any circumstances, and we will use evidence to prosecute.

"We need people to understand that their waste is their responsibility. Anyone offering to take it away has to be registered to carry waste, or it could end up fly-tipped, and you could be prosecuted for failing to take reasonable steps to prevent it.

"If you see fly-tipping, please report it via our online reporting tool by visiting www.dacorum.gov.uk/flytipping.”